Bag With Reinforcing Seam Tape

ABSTRACT

A bag with reinforcing seam tape is provided. The bag has a bottom, at least two sides, and at least two ends formed from textile panels; the textile panels are joined by seams. A reinforcing seam tape adheres to at least a portion of the seam. The reinforcing seam tape is made of thermoplastic polyurethane having a thickness between 0.3 millimeters and 0.8 millimeters. At least one face of the seam tape may have a cross-sectional shape that provides structural support to the bag.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to bags. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to a duffle bag with reinforced seams that providestructure to the bag.

BACKGROUND

Seam tape has traditionally been used to finish fabric edges in order toprevent the thread used in the seam from ripping and/or to preventfraying of the edge. Seam tape has also been used to reinforce fabricseams in order to prevent water from leaking through the seams. Whetherused to finish fabric edges or to reinforce fabric seams, traditionalseam tape generally has an interior face and an exterior face that aresubstantially co-planar with respect to each other. As well, traditionalseam tape has typically been as light as possible, and hence provideslittle structural reinforcement to the fabric edges or fabric seams forwhich it is being used.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter. The present invention is defined by the claims.

At a high level, the present invention is directed toward a bag withreinforcing seam tape that provides structure to the bag in threedimensions. The seam tape may be manufactured in such a way as toprovide different textures or shapes on each face of the seam tape. Forexample, the seam tape may have ribs or other textures or shapes thatprovide structural support for the weight of the bag in certainpositions. Further, interesting geometric protrusions may be provided onthe side of the seam tape facing the exterior of the bag, thus providingaesthetic appeal to the user of the bag.

Additionally, the seam tape may comprise a thermoplastic elastomer tape,where the thermoplastic elastomer tape may comprise thermoplasticpolyurethane (TPU). TPU has many useful properties including elasticity,durability, resistance to abrasion, transparency, and resistance to oil,grease, water, and the like.

Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention is directed to a bagwith reinforcing seam tape. The bag comprises a bottom, at least twosides, and at least two ends formed from textile panels, the textilepanels joined by seams. The bag also comprises a plurality of lengths ofseam tape adhered to the textile panels to cover at least a portion ofthe seams joining the textile panels. The seam tape comprisesthermoplastic polyurethane having a thickness between 0.3 millimetersand 0.8 millimeters such that the plurality of lengths of seam tapeprovide a three-dimensional structure to the bag.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to an extruded seamtape useable to reinforce a seam. The extruded seam tape comprises aninterior face having a first shape, wherein the interior face engages afabric surface of the seam. The extruded seam tape also comprises anexterior face having a second shape that is different from the firstshape; the exterior face structurally reinforces the seam.

In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method forapplying a thermoreactive seam tape adjacent to and in contact with theseam. The method comprises positioning the thermoreactive seam tapeadjacent to and in contact with the seam. The thermoreactive seam tapecomprises an interior face having a first cross-sectional shape; theinterior face engages a fabric surface of the seam. The thermoreactiveseam tape also comprises an exterior face having a secondcross-sectional shape; the second cross-sectional shape is substantiallynon-planar with respect to the exterior face. Additionally, thethermoreactive seam tape also comprises a first end and a second end.

The method further comprises positioning a heated seam tape rolleradjacent to and in contact with the exterior face of the thermoreactiveseam tape at the first end; the heated seam tape roller engages thesecond cross-sectional shape of the exterior face. The heated seam taperoller is rolled from the first end of the thermoreactive seam tape tothe second end of the thermoreactive seam tape. The heated seam taperoller heats the thermoreactive seam tape in such a way as to cause thethermoreactive seam tape to be adherent to the seam along its entirelength.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples are described in detail below with reference to the attacheddrawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a bag as seen in standard use in an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a cross-section of the bag depicted in FIG. 1illustrating how seam tape is used to reinforce seams of the bag in anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3-4 depict a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of anexterior face of seam tape in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5-6 depict a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of anexterior face of seam tape in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7-8 depict a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of anexterior face of seam tape in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 depicts a front view of an interior face of seam tape in anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 depicts a side-view of seam tape in an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 11-12 depict a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of anexterior face of seam tape and a roller in an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 13 depicts a flow diagram illustrating a method of applying seamtape to a bag in an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of the present invention is described withspecificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, thedescription itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent.Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject mattermight also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps orcombinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, inconjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover,although the terms “step” and/or “block” might be used herein to connotedifferent elements of methods employed, the terms should not beinterpreted as implying any particular order among or between varioussteps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individualsteps is explicitly stated.

The present invention is directed toward a bag with reinforcing seamtape that provides structure to the bag in three dimensions. The seamtape may be manufactured in such a way as to provide different texturesor shapes on each face of the seam tape. For example, the seam tape mayhave ribs or other textures or shapes that provide structural supportfor the weight of the bag in certain positions. Further, interestinggeometric protrusions may be provided on the side of the seam tapefacing the exterior of the bag, thus providing aesthetic appeal to theuser of the bag.

Additionally, the seam tape may comprise a thermoplastic elastomer tape,where the thermoplastic elastomer tape may comprise thermoplasticpolyurethane (TPU). TPU has many useful properties including elasticity,durability, resistance to abrasion, transparency, and resistance to oil,grease, water, and the like.

FIG. 1 illustrates a bag 100 with reinforcing seam tape as seen instandard use. The bag 100 may have a bottom 110, at least two sides 112(only one side is shown), and at least two ends 114. The textile panelsthat make up the bottom 110, the two sides 112, and the two ends 114 arejoined together to produce one or more seams. The textile panels may bejoined together at the seams by affixing technologies such as stitching,glue, adhesives, lamination, hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, buttons,rivets, or any combination of the preceding elements. These types ofaffixing technologies often leave gaps in the seams by which liquidsand/or particulates can enter and leave the bag 100. Reinforcing seamtape 116 may be used to reinforce the seams of the bag 100 and provideresistance to the liquids and particulates. As well, the reinforcingseam tape 116 may provide some structure to the bag 100. Although a bagis depicted in FIG. 1, the following discussion is applicable to anythree-dimensional structure containing a cavity, composed of pliableelements, and containing one or more seams.

The textile panels that make up the bag 100 may comprise any textilematerial known in the art. Further, the textile panels that make up thebottom 110 of the bag 100 may differ from those that make up the sides112 and the ends 114 of the bag 100. Any and all such variations arewithin the scope of the present invention.

With respect to FIG. 2, referenced generally by the numeral 200, across-section taken through a seam between the bottom panel 110 and theside panel 112 is depicted. The cross-section 200 illustrates how thebottom panel 110 and the side panel 112 are affixed by, in this example,stitching 218. But, in addition, the cross-section 200 illustrates howthe seam tape 116 is used to reinforce the seam by adhering to thebottom panel 110 and the side panel 112 to cover at least a portion ofthe seam joining the textile panels. For the purposes of thisapplication, an interior face of the seam tape 116 is the face that isadherent to the textile panels (i.e., the bottom panel 110 and the sidepanel 112), while an exterior face of the seam tape 116 is the face thatis not adherent to the textile panels. The exterior face of the seamtape 116 may be a high abrasion layer while the interior layer may be amelt layer with additional layers between them. The additional layersmay optionally provide a greater degree of rigidity to the seam tape116.

The seam tape 116 reinforces the seam by providing mechanical resistanceto tearing, fraying, and the like. As well, the seam tape 116 may alsoprovide some structure to the bag 100. For example, the seam tape 116may have a degree of rigidity and a thickness that allows the seam tape116 to provide a degree of structure to the seams and, by extension, tothe bag 100. The degree of rigidity may be due to the thickness of theseam tape 116 and/or a cross-sectional shape of the seam tape 116. Withrespect to this aspect, when the seam tape 116 has a degree of rigidityand thickness, it necessarily resists flexing. This aspect will bediscussed in greater depth below.

Turning now to FIGS. 3-4, a perspective view and a correspondingcross-sectional view of a portion of seam tape 300 is shown. These viewsare of an exterior face 310 of the seam tape 300 as it would appear on abag (for example, the bag 100 of FIG. 1) when in standard use. In otherwords, it is the side of the seam tape 300 that is not facing thetextile panels that make up a seam. As can be seen from FIGS. 3-4, theexterior face 310 present a convex shape 312 that may be substantiallynon-planar with respect to the opposing face (i.e., the interior face)of the seam tape 300. In one aspect, the convex shape 312 helps tocontribute to a rigidity of the seam tape 300 because the convex shape312 necessarily resists flexing to a greater extent as compared to aplanar shape. Because of this rigidity, the seam tape 300 may be able toprovide structural support in three-dimensions to the bag. FIG. 4 alsodepicts a thickness 314 to the seam tape 300. The thickness 314 may varybetween 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm. In another aspect, the thickness 314 may be0.33 mm. The thickness 314 is substantially thicker than most seam tapesand may also contribute to the structural support the seam tape 300provides to the bag.

Turning now to FIGS. 5-6, a perspective view and a correspondingcross-sectional view of a portion of seam tape 500 is shown. Theperspective view and the cross-sectional view are of an exterior face510 of the seam tape 500. The exterior face 510 presents a concave shape512 that may be substantially non-planar with respect to the opposingface of the seam tape 500 (i.e., the interior face). Like above, theconcave shape 512 may necessarily resist flexing and may provide adegree of rigidity to the seam tape 500. FIG. 6 depicts a thickness 514,with the thickness being between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm. In another aspect,the thickness 514 may be 0.33 mm. Like above, the thickness 514 alongwith the shape 512 may contribute to the structural support the seamtape 500 provides to the bag.

Turning now to FIGS. 7-8, a perspective view and a correspondingcross-sectional view of a portion of seam tape 700 is shown. The viewsare of an exterior face 710 of the seam tape 700. The exterior face 710comprises a geometric shape 712 consisting of a groove or ridge runningsubstantially parallel to the sides of the seam tape 700. Although onlyone groove is depicted, multiple grooves may be present. As well, thegrooves may be undulating. The seam tape 700 may also comprise othersimilar geometric shapes consisting of various protrusions ordepressions. Like above, the geometric shape 712 may contribute to thestructural support the seam tape 700 provides to the bag. Again, theseam tape 700 may have a thickness 714 that is similar to that outlinedabove for FIGS. 4 and 6.

Turning now to FIG. 9, a front view of a portion of seam tape 900 isshown. The front view is of an interior face 910 of the seam tape 900 asit would be used on a bag (for example, the bag 100 of FIG. 1) when instandard use. In other words, it is the face of the seam tape 900 thatadheres to the textile panels and is typically not visible to a viewerof the bag when the bag is in standard use. The interior face 910 maypresent a different shape or texture 912 than that of an exterior face.The shape and/or texture 912 is designed to provide a maximum amount ofsurface area for adhesion to the textile panels. As such, the shapeand/or texture 912 may be smooth or slightly scored.

Turning to FIG. 10, a side view of a portion of seam tape 1000 isdepicted and illustrates yet another aspect of the current invention.The seam tape 1000 has an exterior face 1010 with a first shape 1012, aninterior face 1014 with a second shape 1016, and a thickness 1018. Ascan be seen, the seam tape 1000 presents an additional configuration inwhich the first shape 1012 is substantially planar with respect to thesecond shape 1016. In this situation, the thickness 1018 (being somewhatthicker than traditional seam tapes) helps to provide structure andsupport to a bag.

In one aspect of the invention, the seam tape may be manufactured usingextrusion molding techniques. This technique may be used to produce aseam tape in which the exterior face of the seam tape is substantiallynon-planar (convex or concave) with respect to an interior face of theseam tape as outlined above with respect to FIGS. 3-6. As well,extrusion molding techniques may be used to produce a seam tape wherethe exterior face has a different geometric shape compared to theinterior face. For example, the exterior face may have a series ofridges or grooves that run the length of the seam tape, while theinterior face of the seam tape is substantially flat as seen in FIGS.7-8. Additionally, extrusion molding techniques may be used to produce aseam tape in which the exterior face of the seam tape is substantiallyplanar with respect to the interior face of the seam tape as seen inFIG. 10. When the exterior face is substantially flat, traditionalprinting techniques may be used to impart a design to the exterior face.

Further, extrusion molding techniques may be used to produce a length ofseam tape having a preconfigured shape along its length such as a one ormore bends and/or curves. The seam tape may also be manufactured usingother techniques. For example, sheets of material may be produced andsliced into strips of seam tape. Any and all variations are within thescope of the invention.

The seam tape may, in one aspect, be a thermoplastic elastomer stripcomprising thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). TPU has many usefulproperties including elasticity, durability, resistance to abrasion,transparency, and resistance to oil, grease, water, and the like. Aswell, TPU is colorable so that the seam tape may be colored to match thetextile panels that make up a bag. Alternatively, the seam tape may becolored differently than the textile panels.

Further, in another aspect, the seam tape may comprise one of apolyester-based TPU or a polyether-based TPU with an ASTM D2240 type Adurometer reading between 80-90. Polyether-based TPU is useful wheremicrobial resistance is required or in cases where flexibility atextremely low temperatures is desired, while polyester-based TPUdemonstrates superior abrasion resistance, adhesion strength, chemicalresistance, and resistance to heat aging. In yet another aspect, theseam tape may comprise a rubber strip where the types of rubber maycomprise butadiene rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, hydrogenatednitrile rubber, isoprene rubber, natural rubber, polychloroprene rubber,polyurethane rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, and such.

Continuing, the seam tape may be thermoreactive such that it can beapplied to textile materials using some type of heat source. Further, anexterior face of the seam tape may have a different degree ofthermoreactivity as compared to an interior face of the seam tape. Inone aspect, the exterior face is less thermoreactive than the interiorface of the seam tape. For example, the exterior face may be thought ofas more of an “abrasion layer” that resists wear and tear, while theinterior face of the seam tape may be thought of as more of a “meltlayer” that melts to engage the underlying textile material. Althoughonly two layers have been discussed with respect to the seam tape, it iscontemplated that additional layers with different degrees ofthermoreactivity can be added between the exterior face and the interiorface to provide further rigidity.

Turning now to FIGS. 11-12, a perspective view and a cross-sectionalview of an exterior face 1110 of a portion of seam tape 1100 and acorresponding roller 1112 are depicted. The head of the roller 1112 maybe designed to fully engage the exterior face 1110 of the seam tape1100. For example, if the exterior face 1110 is convex in appearance asshown in FIGS. 11-12, the head of the roller 1112 may have acorresponding concavity that engages with the exterior face 1110.Alternatively, if an exterior face is concave in appearance as shown inFIGS. 5-6, the head of the roller may have a corresponding convexitythat engages with the exterior face. Still further, if an exterior faceis planar in shape such as in FIG. 10, the head of the roller may alsobe planar in shape. Any and all variations are within the scope of theinvention.

The head of the roller 1112 may be heated so as to melt the interiorface of the seam tape 1100 such that it adheres to the underlyingtextile panels. As mentioned earlier, the seam tape may be manufacturedso that the exterior face is not as thermoreactive as compared to theinterior face. Thus, when the heated head of the roller 1112 is appliedto the exterior face 1110 of the seam tape 1100, the exterior face 1110does not melt.

Turning now to FIG. 13, a process-flow diagram is depicted illustratinga method 1300 for applying a thermoreactive seam tape to a seam. At astep 1310, the thermoreactive seam tape is positioned adjacent to and incontact with the seam. More specifically, the interior face of the seamtape is positioned adjacent to and in contact with the seam. Asmentioned above, a length of thermoreactive seam tape may bemanufactured in such a way as to have a shape along its length thatcorresponds to the seam pattern. For instance, a curvilinear seam tapecould be manufactured to match a curvilinear seam pattern.

At a step 1312, a heated seam tape roller is positioned adjacent to andin contact with the exterior face of the thermoreactive seam tape. Theheated seam tape roller is designed to engage the exterior face of theseam tape. For example, if the thermoreactive seam tape has beenmanufactured to present a convex surface as shown in FIGS. 3-4, theheated seam tape roller would have corresponding concavity to engage theconvex surface of the seam tape. This arrangement facilitates adhesionof the thermoreactive seam tape to the fabric surface.

At a step 1314, the heated seam tape roller is rolled from a first endof the thermoreactive seam tape to a second end of the thermoreactiveseam tape so as to cause the thermoreactive seam tape to be completelyadherent to the seam along its entire length. The seam tape rollerapplies a pressure perpendicular to the exterior face of the seam tape.In one aspect, tension may be applied to both the thermoreactive seamtape and the seam of the textile panels to prevent bunching andwrinkling of the seam tape and/or the textile panels.

The present invention has been described in relation to particularexamples, which are intended in all respects to be illustrative ratherthan restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertainswithout departing from its scope. Certain features and subcombinationsare of utility and may be employed without reference to other featuresand subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A bag with reinforcing seam tape, the bagcomprising: a bottom, at least two sides, and at least two ends formedfrom textile panels, the textile panels joined by seams; a plurality oflengths of seam tape adhered to the textile panels to cover at least aportion of the seams joining the textile panels, the seam tapecomprising thermoplastic polyurethane and having a thickness between 0.3millimeters and 0.8 millimeters such that the plurality of lengths ofseam tape provide a three-dimensional structure to the bag.
 2. The bagof claim 1, the seam tape further comprising an interior face thatadheres to the textile panels and an exterior face opposite to theinterior face, the exterior face having a non-planar shape that resistsflexing.
 3. The bag of claim 2, wherein one or more additional layersare interposed between the interior face and the exterior face.
 4. Thebag of claim 1, wherein the seam tape is formed by an extrusion process.5. An extruded seam tape useable to reinforce a seam, the extruded seamtape comprising: an interior face having a first shape, wherein theinterior face engages a fabric surface of the seam; and an exterior facehaving a second shape, the second shape being different than the firstshape, the exterior face structurally reinforcing the seam.
 6. Theextruded seam tape of claim 5, wherein the extruded seam tape comprisesa thermoplastic elastomer tape.
 7. The extruded seam tape of claim 6,wherein the thermoplastic elastomer tape comprises thermoplasticpolyurethane.
 8. The extruded seam tape of claim 7, wherein thethermoplastic polyurethane comprises one of polyester-basedthermoplastic polyurethane or polyether-based thermoplasticpolyurethane.
 9. The extruded seam tape of claim 5, wherein the exteriorface and the interior face are substantially planar with respect to oneanother.
 10. The extruded seam tape of claim 5, wherein the exteriorface and the interior face are substantially non-planar with respect toone another.
 11. The extruded seam tape of claim 5, wherein the extrudedseam tape is colorable.
 12. The extruded seam tape of claim 5, whereinthe extruded seam tape is thermoreactive.
 13. The extruded seam tape ofclaim 12, wherein the exterior face is less thermoreactive than theinterior face.
 14. The extruded seam tape of claim 5, wherein theextruded seam tape has a degree of rigidity.
 15. The extruded seam tapeof claim 5, wherein the extruded seam tape has a thickness between 0.3millimeters and 0.8 millimeters.
 16. The extruded seam tape of claim 5,wherein the second shape is substantially non-planar with respect to theexterior face of the seam tape.
 17. The extruded seam tape of claim 5,wherein the second shape comprises one or more ridges extending from theexterior face of the extruded seam tape.
 18. The extruded seam tape ofclaim 17, wherein the second shape comprises one or more grooves withrespect to the exterior face of the extruded seam tape.
 19. A method forapplying a thermoreactive seam tape to a seam, the method comprising:positioning the thermoreactive seam tape adjacent to and in contact withthe seam, the thermoreactive tape comprising: (A) an interior facehaving a first cross-sectional shape, wherein the interior face engagesa fabric surface of the seam, (B) an exterior face having a secondcross-sectional shape, the second cross-sectional shape beingsubstantially non-planar with respect to the exterior face, (C) a firstend, and (D) a second end; positioning a heated seam tape rolleradjacent to and in contact with the exterior face of the thermoreactiveseam tape at the first end, wherein the heated seam tape roller engagesthe second cross-sectional shape of the exterior face; and rolling theheated seam tape roller from the first end of the thermoreactive seamtape to the second end of the thermoreactive seam tape, the heated seamtape roller heating the thermoreactive seam tape in such a way as tocause the thermoreactive seam tape to be adherent to the seam along itsentire length.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the heated seam taperoller applies a pressure perpendicular to the surface of the exteriorface.